Commerce endorses Regional Mobility Authority

Commerce – The Commerce City Council has given its endorsement to the formation of a four-county group that will promote transportation issues in the area. The Regional Mobility Authority would be formed from what is now the Northeast Texas Mobility Council and would have more political power with the state to address transportation projects. Commerce City Manager Bill Shipp.

SHIPP:Its a way of moving up projects. These are all projects TxDoT recognizes (as) needed. Projects that will happen, its just when will they happen? This is an opportunity, more than anything else, this is an opportunity for localities to move up projects that are important to them.

The group would include Hunt, Hopkins, Deltas, and Lamar Counties. First on the group's agenda is seeking $30 million to expand Highway 24 from Cooper to the Hunt County Line. Once funding is secured and the road is built, the state would reimburse the mobility authority as quickly as motorists use the roads.